Ready or not…. 2015.
2014 was quite the year for my family:
Here’s a 30,000 foot view of what happened from Jan 2014 to now….
- Tried to start a software business with these guys and realized that was a mistake (I talked a little about that here)
- Attended the LIFT conference in May and got some much needed clarity.
- Combined CMB with natefancher.com with a redesign of my blog.
- Had baby number 2…. (Ian Maxwell Fancher was born Sept 3rd! Definitely the highlight of 2014)
- Did a much needed survey of CMB listeners….
- Launched a songwriting course.
- Got the idea of T.I.M. (more on that now…)
2015 Is The Year Of The Podcast
Podcasting is bigger than ever. Shows like Serial have proven that. But it would be a mistake to think that it’s just a fad.
With technology increasingly going mobile and people leading busier lives that require more of an “on-demand” way of consuming content, it makes perfect sense that audio podcasts would only increase.
Everyone from college profs to marketers and even celebrities are seeing its unmatched ability to intimately connect with an audience, share a powerful story, and spread a compelling message.
My Story
I jumped on the podcasting bandwagon back in 2013 with the CMB Podcast and for the last few years it’s been a journey learning about the medium itself.
Gathering a community and building an audience is not easy.
When I started I had never done a consistent audio broadcast thing before. Speaking and being a clear communicator was something I left up to the preachers and pastors in my church.
I was much more comfortable playing guitar and singing.
It has taken 65 episodes to “find my voice” and a year of searching for clarity (see 2014 points above) to come to this point.
The CMB Podcast will yet again see some changes this year (I’ll talk about those in an upcoming post) and to say I’m excited about it would be an understatement.
What I can share now is something I’ve already been talking about….
TIM Talks Launching In March
On March 2nd I’ll be launching an all new podcast on an overwhelming subject for many indie artists:
The internet.
Here at my blog you’ve seen me post on a few things related to this, but this new podcast will be a deep dive into the often confusing world of digital marketing and online business.
This has been a roller coaster ride for myself as I’ve already described, and I’m confident that I’ve landed on an area that I know many indie-artists these days have been wrestling with.
The energy needed to keep up with all the changes in the music business these days is massive, and I’m offering an alternative:
Forge your own path and build an audience using the internet. It’s more than possible.
But you’ll need a guide.
That’s what TIM is all about. TIM (An acronym for “the independent musician”) will be a dedicated platform built around a new podcast that will be published twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, with shorter episodes that give you at least one an actionable takeaway every time.
With 88 episodes (and perhaps a few bonus ones) in 2015, I’ll be covering everything from growing your email list, social media, and even why you should think about starting your own podcast.
Here’s a look at the first 14 (tentative) episodes:
The TIM Mission
The 4 Pillars Of TIM Online
Take A Step Back And Define Your WHY
How To Stop Getting Distracted By Social Media
How To Find Your Sound And Discover Your Niche Online
What Is A Platform Really?
True “Direct To Fan” (why you need to build an email list)
Why direct response marketing rules the roost (the best way to market and sell anything)
The truth behind why artists hate selling
Stop being scared of marketing (why you MUST learn how to sell)
Email Marketing for musicians 101 (list services)
Email Marketing for musicians 102 (how often to send to your list)
Email Marketing for musicians 103 (what to send your list)
Email Marketing for musicians 104 (the money is in the list – growing your leads)
Who This New Podcast Is Not For
It’s important to say something here.
Not everyone who has been a CMB listener or who has followed me over the last few years will enjoy this stuff. It’s NOT for everyone.
It’s not for you if:
You’re A Hermit Artist
If you are disgusted with the thought of being a business person, and all you want to do is write songs in a remote cabin all the time, then this is definitely not for you. I’m not saying there’s something wrong with you. You should be true to yourself. The only thing I would say is that if your art is awesome and no one gets the chance to hear it, that’s a waste.
You Don’t Enjoy Learning New Things
Much of what I talk about will have a learning curve. I will try to teach in such a way that you can easily grasp the concepts, but there will be some stretching for sure. Especially if you’re not used to technology.
You don’t have to be a coder or anything that fancy. All you need is a hunger for learning. If you don’t have that, then this new podcast will not be for you.
You Think That Technology, Computers, Social Media, and the Internet Are Necessary Evils
I’ve heard several artists say that before. They look at all this online stuff, and begrudgingly do certain things online because they feel like they have to, since guys like me are saying you should.
I’ve honestly been in this boat before. I can’t count the number of times I have said something like “Oh man it’s been forever since I’ve posted something on my blog… I should probably write something soon.”
I would drag myself to the computer and try to force something because it was a “necessary evil”.
Evil is never necessary.
I now firmly believe that all these things are given to us by God to use either for His glory or for our own. Yes there is a responsibility to honor the Lord in it all, but that doesn’t mean you call something given by God a necessary evil.
Who This Podcast Is For
Here’s who this podcast is aimed at:
Indie Artists Trying To Forge A Real Career Out Of Their Art
If you’re working to produce something of value that the world will be served by, and put food on the table in the process, then you will be served by this new podcast.
If you want to make a real, sustainable career with your art, then you must be online. Yes there are a lot of different ways that can look, but if you want something that scales and keeps you from starving, the internet has to fit into your business plan at some level.
Musicians Who Don’t Want To Be On The Road All The Time
David Nevue is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. He has been able to bring in a healthy income with little to no touring.
He’s not the only example. There are many more that I’ll be talking about on the podcast, but this is an important issue.
Artists Who Are Wondering If There’s Another Way To “Make It” In The New Music Economy
This is tied to the previous one, but would you rather do it the old way, touring 200 dates a year and making 50K, or would you rather stay at home with your family and make twice or even three times that much?
Seems like a no brainer.
Artists Who Aren’t Afraid To Talk About Money
It’s about to get real.
Why is money such a touchy subject for artists? ESPECIALLY some “Christian” ones?
If Jesus talked about money as much as he did, then it must be an important subject. When it comes to business, how you handle and view financial matters will either make or break your pursuits.
If you’re with me on this, then this new podcast will resonate with you.
2015 Is The Year Of Podcasting
I’ll be publishing more podcast episodes this year than the last two years combined. I’m pretty zealous about the process and have a system in place that will allow me to pull it off (one that I will share with you here someday) but….
This won’t be a big year just for me as a podcaster.
You should start your own podcast too.
This is something I’ll be talking a lot about at TIM Talks, but I think you should start a podcast for your music this year.
Why?
You need to discover your real voice and sound.
You need to share your story with the world.
You need to build a tribe around your message and art if you want to make a lasting career.
Have you ever thought of starting one?
Leave Your Thoughts Below
If anything I’ve said resonates with you, or if you’ve been provoked and annoyed by me, I’d love to know!
🙂
Post a comment below….